Abide with us

Abide with us

Luke 24:29

The story behind the hymn “Abide with me” is remarkable. The author of the hymn, Henry Francis Lyte, was an Anglican priest and vicar of All Saints Church in Brixham, England. He was also a published poet and accomplished hymn writer who also penned “Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken” and “Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven”. For most of his life Lyte suffered from poor health, and he would regularly travel abroad for relief, as was the tradition in that day. Nevertheless, he developed tuberculosis and, at the age of 54, came near to the end of his life. However, there is no clear evidence when he actually wrote this hymn. But assumptions say that Lyte probably wrote the hymn in 1820, and recalled the hymn during the illness that led to his death in 1847. He whispered “Peace and Joy” and lost his breath on September 4, 1847.  Many have a misconception that this hymn should be sung only in the funeral service. But the plea “Abide with me” at the end of each verse tells us the truth that we need God in every stage and condition of life.  Thus the hymn echoes cry of the saints who feel their need of God in each and every moment of their life.

Lyte’s this hymn was based on his sermon he preached on the text of the resurrected Jesus meeting two disciples on the road to Emmaus; at their request "Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent" (KJV) Jesus ate dinner with them (Luke 24:29). He revealed himself to them. In short, he lingered in their presence. The death of Jesus created disappointment, doubt, disillusionment, defeat, discouragement and despondency in the heart of Cleopas and in the other disciple. But when the resurrected Lord agreed to stay with them and revealed Himself to them their despondent hearts had been changed to hearts filled with hope and renewed faith. The presence of the resurrected Lord graciously cleared away the fog of confusion and their broken hearts had been transformed into hearts that were on fire for their Lord!

The half spelled Waterloo war news "Wellington defeated . . ."  under General Wellington against Napoleon on  18, 1815, created fear and despair in the hearts of English people temporarily. The dreadful news was spread across England quickly, throwing the land into despair. The people of England thought the battle was lost. But the cloud of fear, despair and qualm soon lifted from their hearts when the people heard the complete news "Wellington defeated Napoleon." The people’s mood was geared up from tragedy to triumph.

Dear friends, the things that we see, news we hear and the situations that we are going through may create the cloud of disappointment, doubt, disillusionment, defeat, discouragement and despondency in our hearts but be courageous because the living God is with us in every stage and condition of our life. The assurance of His constant presence can lift the cloud of fear, despair and qualm from our hearts. But we need Him to abide with us to protect us from the evil of this world, the temptations of the devil, and the weakness of our own sinful flesh. The days are evil and dangerous therefore we need Him to abide with us every passing hour! Dear friends let us earnestly beseech the Lord to stay with us as the Emmaus disciples beseeched: “Stay with us, Lord, for it is evening, and the day is almost over.” 

Nothing but the Blood of Jesus

Nothing but the Blood of Jesus

1 John 1:7

No gift God has given us is more important than the blood of Jesus Christ. The blood that Jesus shed on the cross provides forgiveness of our sins “The law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22). His precious blood brings us close to God “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13). His sinless blood has the power to cleanse us from all sin “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). His blood has power to heal us “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24).

“There Is a Fountain Filled with Blood” is one of the first hymns Cowper wrote after his first attack of temporary madness. He struggled with such despair and depression due to the harassment and failures he had encountered in his life. When he was ten he was sent to boarding school and there his suffering was added to by the cruelty of the older boys. After much difficulties he pursued his degree on law and passed the bar examinations. However in his nine years of law practice he never once felt worthy to serve people nor could he manage to attract business for himself. In 1759 he failed in his interrogation to become the Clerk of Journals in the British Parliament.  His seven years of love with his Cousin Theodora came to an end after her father opposed their marriage. The subsequent failures in his careers and in his personal life forced him to attempt suicide in three different ways. Because of his suicidal tendencies Cowper was confined, for a brief period, in St. Albans Asylum and, remarkably, it was during this time that his famous hymn was written. Dr. Nathaniel Cotton took care of the patients at that asylum. He was a believer in Christ, and God, in His mercy, was pleased to use him in Cowper’s conversion. Cowper found a Bible lying on a bench in the garden, about six months after he came to the asylum. He read John 11, and then Romans 3:25 “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.” This scriptural account of Christ's redeeming work touched Cowper's heart, causing him to later testify thus: 'There shone upon me the full beams of the sufficiency of the atonement that Christ has made; my pardon in His blood; the fullness and completeness of my justification and, in a moment, I believed and received the gospel.' These words have been used by the Holy Spirit to encourage many saints and a call to wayward sinners to find their peace with God which can only be found in that "fountain filled with blood, drawn from Immanuel's veins".

When evangelist John Wesley (1703–1791) was returning home from a service one night, he was robbed. The thief, however, found his victim to have only a little money and some Christian literature. As the bandit was leaving, Wesley called out, “Stop! I have something more to give you.” The surprised robber paused. “My friend,” said Wesley, “you may live to regret this sort of life. If you ever do, here’s something to remember: ‘The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin!’” The thief hurried away, and Wesley prayed that his words might bear fruit. Years later, Wesley was greeting people after a Sunday service when he was approached by a stranger. What a surprise to learn that this visitor, now a believer in Christ and a successful businessman, was the one who had robbed him years before! “I owe it all to you,” said the transformed man. “Oh no, my friend,” Wesley exclaimed, “not to me, but to the precious blood of Christ that cleanses us from all sin!” John Wesley really did have something more to give the thief that night—the good news of salvation. And we have the same responsibility to share the gospel with those who cross our paths.

Jesus could never become our true Saviour until He was crucified and shed His precious blood on the cross. It is not His teaching and His life alone but His spotless blood that saves our soul (Hebrews 9:22).  Therefore, what can wash away our sin? Nothing but the Blood of Jesus! What can make us whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus! Only the blood of Jesus that flow from the cross make us as white as snow. 

IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS

1 THESSALONIANS 5:18

As the children of God we are expected to face even the adverse circumstances with the spirit of unfailing gratitude in our lives. Paul and Silas had exemplified this spirit when imprisoned at Philippi (Acts 16:25). Such an attitude is made possible only by the grace of God. It can become a vital reality only when we truly experience and accept Romans 8:28. Giving thanks to God under all circumstances is possible to those who say “AMEN” to the will of God in their day to day walk with God.  John Chrysostom one of the Church Fathers lived three hundred years after Paul lived. He was a good and brave man who preached very plainly against iniquity of all kinds. The empress was not a good woman, so she schemed to have him falsely accused and banished. He died an exile from his home. Thirty years later, his body was bought back to Constantinople for burial in the imperial tomb. Chrysostom's motto was inscribed on the tomb: "PRAISE GOD FOR EVERYTHING!" As his friends testified, "When he was driven from home, when he was a stranger in the strange land, his letters would often end with that doxology, 'Praise God for all things!' “Where did Chrysostom get his motto? From Paul—"In everything give thanks" (1 Thessalonians. 5:18).

After William Carey was well established in his pioneer missionary work in India, his supporters in England sent a printer to assist him. Soon the two men were turning out portions of the Bible for distribution. Carey had spent many years learning the language so that he could produce the scriptures in the local dialect. He had also prepared dictionaries and grammars for the use of his successors.  One day while Carey was away, a fire broke out and completely destroyed the building, the presses, many Bibles, and the precious manuscripts, dictionaries, and grammars. When he returned and was told of the tragic loss, he showed no sign of despair or impatience. Instead, he knelt and thanked God that he still had the strength to do the work over again. He started immediately, not wasting a moment in self-pity. Before his death, he had duplicated and even improved on his earlier achievements.

Let us commit ourselves to praise God for everything that happens to us under his government.